China launches new communication technology test satellite

China has successfully launched a new  communication technology test satellite from the Xichang Cosmodrome located in the country’s southeast. This was announced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Kazinform News Agency reports.

As the CASC informed on its website, the satellite wa launched on December 20 at 11:12 pm Beijing by the Long March-3B carrier rocket. The satellite successfully entered the planned orbit.

The satellite will be used for satellite communications, radio and television, data transmission and other services. It will also be used to test relevant technologies.

This became the 554th launch for the carrier-rockets of Long March series.

In 2024, China plans to carry out about 100 space launches.

Recall that China has presented a national mid- and long-term program for the development of space science, which will determine the planning of space flights and space research in the PRC for 2024 - 2050.

Earlier, it was reported that China sent a new group of satellites into space  from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province.